For me it's a wish, (that I made way back, just before "Theology Spillover"), come true. I just wished that Rick could be more universally accepting of other religions and philosophies. Turns out he always has been. In my experience, that's been rare that a christian would allow themselves thinking that God is communicating to the other religions and that God endorses them equally. Though he is happy with his choice, he doesn't think it is a must for salvation for everyone and that the others work, too.

<font color=red><font face='Papyrus'>Ozzy must have flattered the hell out of Rick way back when for Rick to maintain this steadfast loyalty to such a brain-dead freak-a-zoid! I mean, here's Rick, intelligent and gifted, a musician's musician befriended by this empty-headed, warped, zombie who exist only as a result of his wife's undying devotion to his bizarre cause. LOl, forgive me, it's just that it's such a disparity but I guess the old saying holds as true in this case as any...opposites attract ( or does that only apply to heterosexual relationships? ). Don't get me wrong, I don't despise Ozzy ( I love Vol. IV ), it's just that it galls me to see him achieving so much notoriety while the best band in the world scrambles for light in the shadows.

This was a marvelous interview, Jack and I do apprecitae you bringing it to the attention of all of us who had not yet come across it. I'm so happy that he really seems to feel great about coming back into the fold...the place where he belongs.</font id='Papyrus'></font id=red><img src=pix/icon_yes_talis.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=pix/icon_yes_yes2.gif border=0 align=middle>

Chris, if you've ever seen Ozzy in interview, you'd realise that underneath that shambling, invective-mumbling drug-blasted exterior, there is a very lively intelligence and a great wit to boot. That seemed fairly masked, (but was still in evidence if you were already aware of it) in the one episode of the Osbournes I've seen, (the one with the dog psychologist). I think Ozzy is probably astute and grounded enough not to give a fuck about the general perception the public has of him. Far from being opposites, I see a great deal of common ground between him and Rick - they are both raconteurs in their own ways.

<font color=red><font face='Papyrus'>Hmmm, perhaps I should try and look beyond that over-cooked exterior. Had you not mentioned it, Chris, it's pretty likely I would have stayed firmly entrenched in that perception. Admittedly, it won't be easy, but, I will try. </font id='Papyrus'></font id=red><img src=pix/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

<hr>"Beginning is one place I've been before"
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></font id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

LOL - that's a pretty accurate description - and one I'm sure the man himself would be quick to acknowledge. He still retains something of his brummie twang as well which is probably the most dull-sounding of UK accents (apologies to anyone from the West Midlands, but it's true). When every fourth word uttered is an F it's pretty understandable to put that down to a limited vocabulary, (although apparently in private many of the Royal Family bear similar traits<img src=pix/icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>).But if you heard him relate some of his anecdotes - delivered in that disingenuous, 'bewildered-escapee' style of his - it slowly dawns on you that this is a man who is far more aware (and self-aware at that) than he is letting on.

Ozzy is one funny guy who's been through his own hell (of his own making) and back, and has emerged with a softer heart. His journey has made him a bit wiser and more appreciative of his loved ones. And now he's fighting the same demons which he fears for his own kids. I think this is one reason we love to observe the life of his family. We see a lot of our own selves in them.

I found it encouraging that the Osbournes lived right next door to Pat Boone and thought he was the best neighbor they ever had! It didn't surprise me that much that Rick and Ozzy have been good friends. It just goes to prove that not all of us Christians are hateful, bigoted, hard-nosed, and judgemental bunch of trouble-making, finger-wagging hypocritical... well, you know!<img src=pix/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

I'm not the hugest Wakeman fan, being under 300 pounds, but love his sense of humour. I hope he can impart some lightness to Yes, and find Ozzy a new house close to Jon, so Jack Osbourne could get Damian a recording contract! <img src=pix/icon_smokin.gif border=0 align=middle>

I also like the parts he says about the making of songs. And that when the artist releases the songs, they always feel they've done their best. That they know why they put in this lyric or that sound. It's only that they can't listen to the song for the first time, like the fans. They can only listen to it like the artist who has developed the song over their lifetime. So it's a crap shoot as to how many fans appreciate the effort. You know if you make it too easy to listen to, then lots will say you are selling out, or whatever.

I think this interview was most incredibly insightful. And it really addressed many of the issues that Yes fans, like me, were the most concerned about when questioning Rick's reason for being in the band. It's not about the money, he's just a Yes fan, and an artist that feels like sharing and blending his talents with a very creative force in music and thought.